Railway unions were among nearly 200 trade unions who on Thursday launched a token strike demanding the rectification of salary anomalies in accordance with the Tissa Devendra Salary Commission circular. A curtailed service was operated with 25-27 trains in the morning. The same number was expected to be operated in the evening, GMR Premasiri said.

The strikers were to return to work yesterday midnight but a normal service could be expected only this morning. The key union behind the strike is the Railway Guards Union supported by Pointsmen, Signalmen and Technical staff.

The vacuum created by the guards have been filled by the senior executive staff of the railway and the Inspectors, he said.

Among those who played the role of the guards were Operational Superintendent and the General Manager Operations.

Nearly 200 trade unions took part in the islandwide protest campaign yesterday requesting salary increments.

Trade Union spokesmen told ‘The Island’ yesterday said that the one day protest was organised against the Tissa Devendra Salary Commission circular 01/2006 where officials coming under the administrative and accounts divisions were paid 65 percent salary hikes.

Workers from middle and low ranks were yet to be paid. "Surely, today’s (March 16) protest campaign would have given clear signals to the relevant authorities," a union spokesman said.